9.07.2014

Potty Training Boot Camp!


Well, I have successfully finished potty training child #3...what a relief! I thought I would jot down my notes before I forget. I very LOSELY used the The 3 Day Potty Training Method, (HERE is the book) although (of course) I modified it to not be SO hard core..and it has worked for me every time. I might say that there isn't much of that method that I really stick to- I just want to give them credit for the shell of my plan!
Here is what I did:
NOTE: Of course, every child is different- this is what worked for 3 of my very opposite girls. I will say, none of them were "ready" when I potty trained them!

PREPARE: 
1. Download a fun potty App- we used "Potty Time with Elmo" and Milly loved it. There are also a lot of fun YouTube videos for potty training- Milly is obsessed with the Pull Ups Potty Dance.
2. Get lots of drinks and snacks- Fiber rich foods or foods that make them need to poop are really helpful (raisins, natural fruit snacks, I added flax to a lot of smoothies, apple juice, fun juices in fun boxes that they usually don't get, probiotic smoothie drinks, chocolate milk, donuts, etc..) The point is that they need to have lots of opportunities to use the potty. Have one extra special treat for when they putty successfully- candy, fruit loops, etc..
3. Buy some new exciting underwear
4. Purchase one box of Pull Ups 
5. Purchase Moist Flushable Wipes - this is not required, just helpful (especially with girls)
6. A little stool at the potty is helpful- I do not use potty seats, just train on the toilet you want them to use- I don't really understand why we would train on the little potty seat and then train again on the big potty- just do the big one and be done. (you will not find the potty seat in public- so just go big! That being said-it is nice to have a potty seat in the back of the car for girls in emergencies (from what I understand, boys can find a tree) just grab a used one or one from a friend in case of emergencies. You might use this for a week- so don't spend a lot of $$ on it.
7. Block out your schedule- I am serious, do not leave the house for 3 days. It is nice to have someone else with you- or at least to send your other kids out and about so you can focus.
8. Have beach towels and clean up rags ready. (if you use Clorox wipes, have some on hand- I used Norwex cloths)
9. Finally, have a bottle of wine on hand- if you like wine! It is a LONG 3 days!

THE BIG DAY:
1. The night before set it up- tell the child- "Tomorrow is Potty day!!!" Yea!! Get other people to be excited for them also- call grandma or an aunt or friends- let them hype it up!
2. Have all of the above ready when they wake up in the morning.
3. When they wake up- have them throw away their diaper. Tell them that they will no longer need a baby diaper. (the 3 day method says to have them throw away all of the diapers, I think this is a little extreme, just bag them up and give them to a friend who needs them) It is helpful to get the diapers out of the house- that way you don't give up in a moment of weakness.
4. Let the child pick out the underwear they want to wear and make a big deal of it.
5. Take them to the designated area for the "potty party" (preferably this location would not have carpet or material- wood or tile floors and plastic chairs are best for clean up). I set up a few towels with a plastic kid chair in our kitchen with my computer for movies and picnic style activities (painting nails, coloring, iPad, snacks, movies..anything to get them to stay put)
6. Pump them full of drinks and snacks so they will need to potty a lot- ask them "do you need to go potty" and "are your panties dry" a lot- just so they are aware that you want them to be dry.
7. The 3 Day Potty Training method says to wait until they start to potty to run them to the potty. I have them sit on the potty every 20 minutes or so- that way they will have early successes. Chances are you will do a little of both the first few days. They will have an accident and you will run them to the potty and tell them "this is where we potty- good job!!"  The real key is to STAY HOME and continue to run them to the potty.
8. My #2 and #3 did not have a successful toilet potty until day 3- DAY 3!! I thought it was hopeless, but then it clicked and they never looked back. One week after starting to potty train Milly she was sleeping in panties and out and about with little to no accidents.
9. Pooping takes a little longer, it just doesn't happen as often. It takes time for them to get it, just be patient and continue to encourage them to try on the potty. This is where the App comes in handy, they can sit and try with a game and not notice that they are trying.
10. Napping and sleeping- the 3 Day Potty Training Method says no pull ups- I say have them wear "nighttime panties" to nap and bed. I am not trying to change sheets every day. I had my #1 & #2 wear panties and put the pull up over them. This way they could still feel the nasty wet panties, but no mess. I also had them wear a pull up when we went out for an extended period of time. They understood we still needed to use the potty. I told them "I want these panties to be dry also, it is not a baby diaper". Milly on the other hand (child #3) refused to wear pull ups, she put panties on and never looked back (after 4 long days of training). She sleeps and naps in big girl panties and does great.
11. I remember thinking with all three of them- "are they ever going to poop?" This process just takes longer in my experience. Eventually they get it- be patient.
12. I find it easiest with the child just wearing panties, no need for clothes on these days- if anything a t-shirt, but try to make it easy for them to run, pull down the panties and go!
13. Finally, when you put them to bed at night, take a deep breath, have a glass of wine, unwind and know that tomorrow is a new day. Do not be discouraged by lack of success on the potty- just remember it is 3-4 days of your life and they will get it- don't lose hope! Stay positive, stay calm..don't freak when they have accidents- they will get it!

NOTES:
1. Everyone and I mean EVERYONE, will tell you "maybe he/she's not ready" several times. You will begin to doubt yourself and the timing. You will want to quit. DO NOT. Once you start, do not stop. You have to do this at some point, if mom is ready...do it. The 3 Day Potty Training Method says you can do it any time after 22-months and I agree. It might take 1 day, it might take 5 but they will get it. Like I said, not one of my girls was "ready" based on the articles you read about potty training readiness.
2. Try to have some fun, your child will feel it if you are stressed- just clean up the mess and move on- they will get it- THEY WILL GET IT!
3. Stay home, stay home, stay home. At least for 3 days- seriously, do not run around town with a potty training child- it does not set them up for success.
4. Finally, if you have a friend or relative who is potty training here are some things to do for them that will bless their socks off: 1) encourage them- no negative talk!! 2) encourage the child- celebrate when they potty, call them on the phone to check on their success 3) take them wine and food 4) take their other kids 5) take a 1 hour potty training shift- let them have an hour to let off steam while you run the kid to and from the potty. I bet the child will love the new helper also.


That is it, I am not going to lie, potty training is BRUTAL. Seriously, one of my least favorite milestones, but it has to be done and it is over before you know it! Go Mom!!!

9.01.2014

10 Current Delights!

I have been MIA for a while, life is fun how it takes twists and turns and we never know what the next season will bring! God is adventurous like that, never boring, always exciting..His mercies are new every morning and His grace is abounding! Since I am in a total rut, and by "rut" I mean- running around crazy without a moment to spare- I thought I would check in with a little update of some things that I think are Delightful right now...i.e. give you a little update!

1. What I'm doing: In June, I started working at our church part time. (www.visitgracechurch.com if you are in the KC area come visit!!) I am dipping my toe back into planning events and feel so blessed to have the opportunity to plan them for the church. Both of my passions colliding. Of course, it comes with sacrifice (my house, my family, my friends..all getting a little less) and I feel like I am wearing 20 hats, but I blessed to have the opportunity.

2. What is challenging me: Potty Training (enough said) there is no other toddler activity or phase that I dread more. I, frankly, like diapers- no matter where we are they can potty without me dragging them into a nasty public restroom! I seriously "h word" the whole process! But..we are doing it, we are all in! (and by "we" I mean "I"!)

3. What I'm excited about: I host a Bible Study (we call it "Wine and the Word") with the most darling girls and we are getting ready for "Children of the Day" Beth Moore's brand new study on 1&2 Thessalonians. I cannot tell you how excited I am to get back into a study!

4. What I'm wearing: 
+ These are my absolute favorite jeans right now, I am obsessed!
+ Laura Mercier released the fall caviar stick colors and I am in love with Copper. (thanks to Christina for this very expensive obsession)
+ I am in LOVE with RMS "Un" Cover UP and Lip2Cheek (totally organic and natural- JCrew models use this brand)

5. What the girls are wearing: Of course I love Crewcuts for kids but I am a big fan of Zara Kids right now- LOVE!

6. What I'm cooking: My godmother, Marsha, introduced me to Cindy's Kitchen Marinade/Dressing (I get it at Whole Foods) and I have been putting organic chicken breasts (from Costco of course) in the slow cooker for 5-6 hours with Cindy's Kitchen Fresh Avocado Vinaigrette- literally just pour a bottle over several chicken breasts and leave it for 6 hours then shred them with a fork and it is so yummy and can be used for SO many dishes. Really simple, which is necessary these days!

7. What I am now an expert on: Lice, that is right, I can spot a "nit" from a mile away! The first week of school our whole crew (minus Dave of course) had FREAKIN' LICE! I have never had lice in my whole life and it spread through our long, curly headed crew in no time. I am not kidding, it is the worst. I had to sit with the girls for HOURS picking those nasty little tiny things out- not to mention laundry, vacuuming, etc..we finally went to a "lice treatment" place and paid a small fortune for them to treat all of us. I did however learn a few things- 1)we use Tea Tree shampoo and conditioner every day (Trader Joes has a good one) 2) I would not use "Rit" or the other poison they sell at Wallgreens, I would go straight to the removal place 3) there are really great natural products- but nothing kills the nits- you have to remove them strand-by-strand 4)This Nit comb is the best- even if you don't have lice, you can comb through hair when kids have been at school or somewhere with a lot of kids and cloth. I pray with my whole heart we never get that again!

8. What I'm reading: I have been reading "Releasing the Ability of God through Prayer" by Charles Capps- it is fascinating, making me really think about my prayers and being aware of the words that I speak.

9. What I'm listening to: Holy Cow, I am loving Steffany Gretzinger, The Undoing. It is such precious worship with the Lord. I also love and have way over played Bethel Music, You make me Brave (Live) - "It is Well" just gets me!

10. What is rocking my world:
Wunderlist: It is the best App- I am a "list maker" and this lets me categorize my to-do lists and then check them off when I am done- so great for grocery shopping, when you grab an item it takes it off the list! AND..you can share tasks with friends or uhhum husbands!
+ Amazing Meal Powder: I make a morning shake with 1 scoop of this, 1 banana, almond milk (unsweet) and 1/2t Matcha Green Tea (see next)- I feel great and have lost some weight- I love that it isn't soy or whey but plant based protein! There are fun flavors but I like plain.
+ Matcha Green Tea Powder: My Brother and SIL introduced me to this- it is awesome for you. It is a bit pricy but lasts forever!

That is the scoop! I do actually have another post I have been working on- so it won't be another 4 months before I post! Happy September!

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